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Carson, Calif., Dec. 19, 2007 -- The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) joined Chevron Energy Solutions, a unit of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), today in Carson to unveil the transit agency’s latest contribution to energy efficiency and sustainability: the largest solar panel installation at a single site within the U.S. transit industry.

Photos by Juan Ocampo. Media may request hi-res image sized for print: mailto:andersonga@metro.net The “green” ribbon cutting ceremony at the unveiling of Carson Division 18’s solar panel array was meant to symbolize the energy efficiency the technology will provide. From left: Hal Snyder, Gas Company vice president; Pam O’Connor, Metro Board chair; Carolyn Flowers, Metro chief operations officer; Dana Coffey, South Bay Sector general manager; and John Mahoney, Chevron Energy Solutions vice president. Rebates from solar projects at West Valley Division 8 and East Valley Division 15 helped augment the cost of this installation. Any rebates that are earned from this project will be reinvested into future solar and energy-efficient projects, said Carolyn Flowers, Chief Operations Officer.

Innovative design includes solar panel array that doubles as a shaded parking area. The energy savings is projected to save the agency $17,000 in energy costs monthly.

The 498-kilowatt (DC) system, comprising 1,632 individual solar panels, is now installed on the roof of the Carson bus division’s maintenance facility and six parking lot carport structures. Metro estimates that the solar panel system will generate 600,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, enough green renewable power to save the division nearly $17,000 per month, or $200,000 per year.

“Metro has made significant strides toward becoming a ‘green’ transportation agency, and it has raised the bar by installing the industry’s largest solar installation at a single transit facility,” said Pam O’Connor, Santa Monica City Councilmember and Metro Board Chair. “From planning, operations, construction, and procurement, Metro is doing everything it can to foster a more energy efficient and sustainable environment because our future depends on it.”

The solar panel system was designed and installed by Chevron Energy Solutions.

To help offset the $4.2 million cost of the installation, Metro applied $1.82 million in previous Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) and LADWP incentives from its first solar panel project in the San Fernando Valley. Metro also anticipates receiving from The Gas Company incentives of about $1.2 million associated with the Division 18 project, which will further offset the cost. The project should pay for itself within 12 to 14 years.

“Metro’s first solar project was a tremendous success, not only because of the significant cost savings and actual performance results, but because projects such as these are a responsible way to reduce strain on the electrical grid and promote energy efficiency and sustainable business concepts at Metro,” said Roger Snoble, Metro CEO.

Metro is developing a three-year plan to install solar panels on every feasible Metro facility in cooperation with local utilities.

“We congratulate Metro for its leadership and commitment to cleaner air and renewable technologies and for taking advantage of The Gas Company’s Self-Generation Incentive Program,” said Hal Snyder, vice president of gas transmission and distribution for The Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric. “The incentive program allows the purchase and installation of solar systems to be more affordable and helps our customers become more energy-sufficient and self-reliant.”

“This new solar panel system further demonstrates Metro's commitment to long term sustainability," said L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "Metro has already proven that it can harness the power of the sun to demonstrate its environmental stewardship and, at the same time, lower its operating costs. Using the sun’s power as a source of energy is smart, cost-effective and efficient.”

The Carson bus division follows the successful solar panel installation at Metro Bus yards in Sun Valley and Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley. Together they are now saving the agency about $160,000 per year in electricity costs and generate enough electricity to provide up to 20 percent of each bus division’s total energy requirements.

Metro’s environmental efforts have ranged from agency recycling and solar projects, energy-efficient buildings, water- and energy-saving plantings along the Metro Orange Line to developing and operating high-tech alternative fuel buses.

Chevron Energy Solutions designs and constructs facility projects, including infrastructure and renewable power systems, that increase energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and ensure reliable power for public institutions and businesses. Since 2000, Chevron Energy Solutions has developed more than 800 projects involving energy efficiency or renewable power for education, government and business customers in the U.S.

Its parent, Chevron Corporation, is investing across the energy spectrum to develop energy sources for future generations by expanding the capabilities of alternative and renewable energy technologies. Chevron spent approximately $2 billion on developing these technologies between 2002 and 2006, and expects to spend more than $2.5 billion in this area between 2007 and 2009. For more information, visit www.chevron.com and www.chevronenergy.com.